login
Become a member
Quick Registration
Full Registration Benefits -
Free Homepages for Doctors
Free Homepages for Hospitals
Free Homepages for Medical Conference
Free Homepages for NGO's
Personal Health Record Creation
Access to all Medical Slides
Access to all Jobs & Products Sale
Missing a Single Night's Sleep Enough to Harm Brain
October 28, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Research News
Sleep is the state of natural rest, which refreshes the body and the brain. It is already known that those who skip sleep regularly have both physical and mental health problems.
A new study by researchers from the University of California has found brain activity associated with mental illness in healthy people who missed a single night's sleep.
The researchers asked volunteers to miss a night's sleep and stay up until 5 p.m. the following day. Next, the scientists scanned their brains as the participants viewed gory images such as mutilated bodies or children with tumours.
The sleep-deprived group showed increased activity in the amygdala, an area of the brain involved in processing fear and other emotions, reported the online edition of the New Scientist.
The heightened activity is no surprise since there is a known link between tiredness and emotions.
But the amygdala appeared to be more active because connections with the prefrontal cortex - an area of the brain that normally damps the amygdala down - were disrupted.
Similar disruption is seen in patients with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, the researchers said.
Source-ANI
SRM/V
|
|
More News on: Sleep Problems in Children, Parkinsons Disease, Sleep Disorder : Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep Disorder: Sleepwalking, Parkinsons Disease Surgical Treatment, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Disorders, REM Behavior Disorder, Sleep Disturbances In Women, Sleep
 Comment & Contribute
|
|
10/29/2007
helpful.
Reply |
Forward
guest
10/29/2007
|
Medwonders Health Network
- Health News Index
|
|
 | Quiz on Brain Feeling bad, sad, silly or glad? Find out what is responsible by taking part in our brain quiz. 
|
- News Quick Links
 |
Sleep
Complete Medindia Resources
|
| News Categories: |
| » | HCCI Report Says Rising Prices for Care Responsible for Increased Healthcare Costs for Privately Insured Americans |
| » | Treatment in ED is Based on Children's Insurance Status |
| » | US Spends Most on Healthcare Without Providing Superior Care |
| » | South Carolinas Taxpayers Will Not Have to Pay for Abortions in Rape Cases |
| » | Companies Try to Avoid Steep Health Insurance Bills by Rewarding Employees For Healthy Lifestyles |
| More Insurance News | |
|
